Three charged in robbery at 1st Source Bank

Police say at least two linked to other robberies.

Police say at least two linked to other robberies.

July 25, 2006|ALICIA GALLEGOS Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- It wasn't the first bank the suspects have robbed, police say, but it's likely their last. Authorities believe at least two of three men charged with robbing a 1st Source Bank last week are linked to two other robberies at the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union on Ireland Road. James Wade, 31, Tyrone Miller, 20, and Fredrick Teague, 37, have all been charged in connection with the July 18 robbery of 1st Source Bank, 2602 Mishawaka Ave. Together the men face a combined 17 felony charges, including bank robbery, carjacking, forgery and gun charges. Wade was taken into custody last week at the intersection of Miami and Calvert streets following the 1st Source robbery, and the others were arrested after a standoff with police at an East Bowman Street home. Police had already been looking into the possibility that individuals frequenting the Bowman residence were connected to criminal activities, according to police spokesman Capt. Phil Trent. "(The home) appears to be one of the principal meeting places," he said. After further investigation, it was determined that Wade was likely involved in the June 27 robbery of Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, 2102 E. Ireland Road, acting as the getaway driver, according to police. After reportedly dropping off other suspects, Wade actually drove back around the bank's drive-through while police were investigating, waiting patiently behind another vehicle. Teague is also believed to be connected to at least one of the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union robberies. The earlier robbery occurred June 14. No weapon was displayed in any of the three robberies. Money in the later credit union crime along with the 1st Source robbery was eventually recovered, police said. Another man and a woman are still at large in the string of bank robberies, Trent said, but police have a name and surveillance tapes to aid in descriptions. Wade is the brother of Dimitrick Teague, who was slain last summer at the intersection of Klinger and Addison streets on South Bend's south side. Wade spoke at a sentencing hearing for his brother's killer just last month, where suspect Terrance Flynn was sentenced to 50 years for Teague's death. It's unknown whether Frederick Teague is related to Dimitrick. Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (574) 289-STOP or the Detective Bureau, Cpl. Ron Nowicki, at (574) 235-7475. Staff writer Alicia Gallegos: agallegos@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6368